Berlin is the exciting capital city of Germany and enjoys a rather great history and many extraordinary sights. As most of the tourists only see the lively part of the city we all know, there is an extraordinary, but not very well known part of the city – the Berliner Unterwelten, or the ”Underworlds of Berlin”. In this blog post, we will explore the world of mysterious underground spaces, their stories and the ways you can go on an exciting tour in Berlin’s hidden underground.
1. Exploring history beneath our feet: Berlin’s hidden past
In its stormy history, Berlin saw great historical events that many affect the city’s underground tunnels, bunkers, and subsurface structures. Historically some of them serve as air raid shelters during the World War II while others act as escape tunnels during the Cold War times, and therefore they give a rather unique perception of the city.
1.1 WW II Air-Raid Shelters
In World War II Berliners had to take shelter in cellars while bombing attacks were underway and the city was under threat. A visit to the bunkers today provides a peep into what the people living in the shelters did in a bid to escape the horrors of the above ground world.
1.2 Cold War Escape Tunnels
At the time when the alarming war theory between the global superpowers, the world was split in two and Berlin was no exception. To travel to the West, East Berliners bored tunnels under the structure of the wall. Exploring such tunnels provides tourist with certain sense of touch with those times and the problems people were facing on their attempt to achieve freedom.
2. Organized for the public and conducted by Berliner Unterwelten e.V.
For getting the best experience of the Berlin Unterwelten, it can be suggested to take the guided tour form Berliner Unterwelten e.V., which is an organization that is involved in the preservation and presentation of Berlin’s subterrane. The guides hired for the service are experienced and strikes interesting attitudes and relate the importance of the places being visited.
2.1 Booking a Tour
To book a tour Berliner Unterwelten e.V. can be done online through the site, but there is also a booking counter at the Gesundbrunnen U-Bahn station. It is always recommendable to make a booking early mainly because since most of the tours are favorites among clients they are likely to be booked in advance, particularly during the popular periods of the year.
2.2 Selecting the Right Tour
In fact, Berliner Unterwelten e.V provide nearly all types of tours, depending on the subject and the available time. Whether it is a big fan of World War II or curious about the Escape behind the Iron Curtain, there is a tour all alike. Visit their website to determine the tour that meets your needs.
2.3 The Dark Worlds Museum
After a tour, it is wise to make a visit to the Dark Worlds Museum at Berliner Unterwelten e.V. centre. Further here is a wide choice of impressive open exhibitions,Jason’s pieces, and other multimedia representations that wait to give you more details of the life in the underground Berlin and the people who created it.
3. Useful Information on Visiting the Berliner Unterwelten
Here are some practical tips to enhance your Berliner Unterwelten experience:
Take with you comfortable shoes, because some tours will prescribe a longer walk or can be carried out on sites that have trails and other complex surfaces.
For instance, pack a jacket, or sweater because the underground is often a few degrees colder than the surface air.
It is also recommended you carry along a small backpack where you can have some water, camera and snacks just incase. It is shameful to find these historical structures being left behind yet littering the environment without taking any action.
Always ensure you get to the point of meeting at the set time to prevent missing your tour time.
TRY TO PAY FULL ATTENTION TO THE INFORMATION BEING GIVEN BY YOUR GUIDE AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS IF ANY. They are treasure troves of information, information which can add a deeper perspective into the sites you will be visiting.
4. Conclusion
The Berliner Unterwelten provide a very engaging look at some of the lesser-known aspects of Berlin history. This line of claustrophobic and sometimes even creepy tours will help you expand your historical knowledge about the city and discover truly unconventional sights. The Berliner Unterwelten e.V. is an interesting guide to get acquainted with the secrets of the Berlin Underworlds, and bring you a memorable and educational trip.
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